Tom Petty and Dissertations

October 20th is Tom Petty’s birthday. Here are some words of wisdom from Tom Petty’s lyrics for dissertation students everywhere…

Running down a dream… working on a mystery… going wherever it leads…

Maintain a sense of professional detachment pertaining to your dissertation project. If you choose a topic that you’re passionate about (as is the common advice), you can easily become trapped in a never-ending pursuit of perfection. It’s important that you remain focused on the objective of getting your dissertation done as soon as possible.

The waiting is the hardest part.

For most graduate students, nearly half of the dissertation process is spent waiting. Waiting for feedback from committee members. Waiting for permission from site managers. Waiting for data to roll in.

Understand that waiting is an unavoidable part of the process. Most schools specify how long your committee members have to return your drafts. Don’t let them stretch their reviews out further than they’re allowed.

Beyond that, make sure that you work ahead as much as possible while waiting for faculty to return your work. This is the best way to maintain your progress and your sanity while you’re waiting.

You can stand me up at the gates of hell, but I won’t back down.

Persistence is the key to graduation.

Fifty percent of doctoral students never reach graduation. It’s a tough process. It can wear you down. But, they can’t make you quit. Only you can make you quit.

Stay focused. Keep at it. Be sure to enlist all of the help and support that you can.

But, don’t forget why you started in the first place. Remember the impact you’re called to make. Remember those you want to help. Visualize what life will be like after graduation.

Don’t back down!